Teaching a border collie direction

Paige learns her "away" flank (how to go counter-clockwise around the sheep on command).

At this stage it's important that I place myself in various places so that she doesn't just learn to go around when I'm in a specific spot.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• border
• collie
• dog
• herding
• sheep
• farm
• teach
• away
• pet
• bc
• herd

[animelover462]

The cues need to be transferred to a whistle, the dog needs more focus, and you need to wait a few more seconds before repeating a cue, but other than that good lesson. I can probably assume, due to the age of the video, that the above faults have been resolved.

[sarahlockettstewart]

@animelover462 you are absolutely correct in your assessment. I don't trial much and Paige still needs more work, but in her first pro-novice trial (I *finally* got around to entering one!) last summer she took 4th place. Paige never did develop the focus I wanted, but interestingly she has a lovely manner on sheep and despite a lack of intensity and focus can work light sheep beautifully. I don't think she'll ever work very tough sheep well, but around the here we don't get those much.

[PocoLenaCutting]

You would never make it to a big trial.

[sarahlockettstewart]

Seeing as I don't even own sheep, I really couldn't care less. Paige is decent on sheep - she should be, she is out of Whiterose Kep and Amanda Miliken's Mabel.

I can handle constructive criticism. But I get irritated by the cowardly "you suck" comments so easily posted over the internet.

As an aside, I have been to a big trial at the Knox's in Missouri and held my own...

[PocoLenaCutting]

You Suck

[sarahlockettstewart]

wow, your insight is incredibly constructive! Think about teaching as a career!

[elliemccoy1]

@PocoLenaCutting

anyone that would write something like this doesn't really count as you are obviously a simpleton!

[Canhinkley]

I work at a no-kill shelter with an abused 10-month-old border collie puppy... I'm trying to learn all I can to make him more adoptable... Thanks for the video, I'm going to see if I can teach him some of this... though I've no idea where to start!

[Maximilianvonsedlitz]

@bmbell71 Herding a ball is reasonable way to start off an intelligent young pup. It may not be conventional, but if you are consistent with the flanking commands and firm with the "lie down" and you might be surprised at how well your dog does the first time it herds something animate.

[GTaDaMNeD]

this dog is young and in training and so to say that the owner sucks or they won't ever make it to a big trial is incredibily ignorant.

[kiwieyedog]

To Pocolenacutting - pull your head in before it gets so big you can't. We all started somewhere and this little dogs is working well with the handler. Didn't you start somewhere - oh no probably not - you were always doing 850 yard outruns - ha ha ha he laughs raucously! Lovely dog Sarah, keep your head up and aim high!

[kirkbyla]

@bmbell71 i just looked after a friends border while he went on holiday and it was amazing you will swear they know everything you say ,they are so bright and eager to please i didnt want to give him back ,if a door was ajar i would say bluey shut the door and he would jump on it and close it .you will soon see why farmers have used them for years all the best hope you get the fun i got

[bmbell71]

beautiful dog. I've got a 14 week old border. We don't do sheep, but she heards a soccer ball really well, lol! Anyway I've been trying to teach the directional commans so this did actually help. My wife wants to train her for agility courses so the directional stuff is very important for that.

[lambraun]

I appreciate you taking the time to post this video...boo to the people who can't think of anything positive to say, and just fyi to the same people, it should be "our dogs", not "are dogs"...We have 2 border collies who are wonderful pets, but dream of the day we can have more land to own sheep and do some training...Thanks again Sarah...keep up the good work!